DC/Marvel at The Animated Movies Thread

[BreakABone]

This was a somewhat exciting movie for me, as it is the first movie on the list that is/was completely new to me. Also, I don't have much of a history with Hellboy outside of the two mainstream movies. With that said,

Hellboy: Sword of Storms
Does anyone else, think this sounds like a subtitle to a Zelda game?



I wasn't clear on it from the movie or dialogue, but not sure if this is a sequel to the movie or not, but it does assume some familiarity with the characters so there's that.

Now even though the plot is explained in some heavy expository scenes, I'm not 100% sure how Hellboy was teleported to a mystical realm. But in this realm are some really freaky creatures, and Hellboy ends up fighting them all.



I wasn't too thrilled with most of the action scenes, but there was plenty enough that you may have better luck than I did.


Honestly, I watched this 3 days ago, and the fact that I'm having trouble remembering anything of note is never a good thing IMO.

So instead of torturing you with made up details, I shall recommend a Pass, it isn't bad, just not memorable.

This week's movie: Ultimate Avengers.

[BreakABone]

Okay some quick notes.

-One, switching movies for next two weeks, since Iron Man 2 comes out next week, I figured made more sense to watch Invincible Iron Man than and the following week we will do Ultimate Avengers 2.

-Second, been sticking to the schedule for the most part so here are two brief reviews.


Ultimate Avengers

I've read the comics its based on now, and not liking the comic, also makes me appreciate this movie even less if that makes sense. :lol

The movie does too much too fast, and has no real flow. Actually, this is the same complaint I will have about the next movie. :lol

After reading the comics, they pretty much gloss over the aspect of getting the team together. The alien invasion reminds me too much of the JLA's origins, but eh.

All in all, I recommend only checking out if you come across it.

Next movie, just finished watching.


Like I said above, it has the same flaws as the above movie. Its all action with a poor sense of plotting. The plot is almost non-existant with it just serving to break up the 3 fights between Superman and Brainiac.

But the BIGGEST problem I have with this movie is the treatment of Lex Luthor. He is neither shroud businessman nor evil scientist. He is some weird, alternate Lex who is into grand-standing way too much. He even utters to Superman once "Rooting for you pal" not in some sarcastic tone either. It was AWFUL.

My Recommendation is to pass this movie. I can't believe from the same folks who did Superman TAS!

[Swan]

Agree with BaB about their horrible treatment of Luthor. Complete bastardization of his character. Didn't like the version of Braniac either. Had too much emotion for his character. He is supposed to be an emotionless machine set on completing his task but here he is determined to destroy superman and such.

Dialogue was pretty shoddy as well.


And for Ultimate Avengers I agree with most of what Earl says though I did really enjoy the comics. The end of the movie was way too rushed but was a somewhat enjoyable film.

[BreakABone]

This week's movie is Superman: Doomsday



This movie could be seen as the starting point for the new DCU as it was the first DTV they produced that wasn't directly tied into anything else in the Timmverse. (Superman: Brainiac, could also be counted, but believe it uses the same designs)

This movie on the other hand, has no such shackles. It uses a different cast of voice actors and a radically different design for the characters, but let's get into the movie.

The movie is based loosely on the Death/Return of Superman arc from the early 90s. Sadly, I've never read the story myself (something I will remedy one day), but based on the bonus feature it was a pretty cool comic and story. Now the movie guts the middle portion of the comic for the most part (the Superman wanna bes who try to fill in the gap in his absence) and the movie works well without it.

First thing that HAS to be said, this movie is brutal.



The movie pretty much revolves around two major fight scenes. The first if the titular Superman vs Doomsday fight, which is big, bad and brutal. It goes across Metropolis and is probably one of the best crafted fight scenes in all of comic book DTV. You feel every blow, and of course the eventual defeat is done so well.

The second fight is the climax between a clone Superman and returned Superman, which again is a pretty nice fight. Something that both fights get right is the feeling of doom over Superman, at times it is difficult to do a Superman fight where you feel he is threatened due to his power limits, and even rarer to do it without K, but both of these fights accomplish that IMO.



In-between the fights, there is also a movie. The crux of it being the relationship between Superman and Lois, who are seen dating at the start of the movie. This comes out of left field, but you find out why it is important after his death, as Lois carries the emotion of this movie. Between her reaction at his death to speaking with Martha Kent, you feel the gravity of the situation.

We also get emotional arcs through Lex Luthor (who is as cold here as anywhere else, but sometimes feels just a bit off), Jimmy (who takes up a glam gig), Perry White (briefly in his scenes) and Ma Kent.

Oddly, my biggest problem with the movie is the whole act that deals with Luthor's cloned Superman, I know they needed something for Superman to fight when he returned, but I just didn't care for it much. And he quickly spirals out of control.

Some of the voices were good, some took getting use to, but none were as horrible as Superman: Brainiac nor did any of the characters feel so out of place like Luthor did in that movie.

My recommendation Check It Out It may be on Netflix Insta-Steam

Next week's movie is, Justice League: New Frontier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lEhVhzPy3c